HMS Foudroyant sailed immediately astern of Keppel's Victory during the First Battle of Ushant, giving Jervis a close view of the admiral's intentions and signals. The twenty-nine-against-thirty-ship action ended indecisively and produced a politically charged court martial of Keppel. Jervis gave a particularly forceful defense because his station allowed him to reconstruct the commander's choices more directly than some officers aboard Victory. Opening here shows how tactical position could shape the quality of later testimony and how a captain's evidence could influence an admiral's career.
Notable Point · 25:59-27:28
Why Jervis defended Keppel after Ushant
Foudroyant's position astern of Keppel's flagship gave Jervis an unusually direct view of the command decisions later examined at the admiral's court martial.